AS the trio made its way to Bergola, it came across a number of damaged inns, homes and brothels, which was to be expected had happened early at night. Who or whatever was responsible, assuming there was a culprit, might have tried to reduce the collateral damage by selecting a time when most people were home, but it was still a lot.

As they saw more and more sites, and witnessed a lack elemental power and new spirits, Ignis became increasingly certain the null element was somehow involved… it’d explain the apparent randomness of the victims and destruction. The existence of the bull element was known by many, including the upper echelon of church, but not actively taught due to its dangerous and uncertain nature.

Ignis himself only used it from a safe distance, and then again, only after ascertaining the risk. This is why he never referenced it, or made any attempt to use it to remove the contagion and evil spirits near Azrael hometown. Although it would have cleansed the area for sure, the trio’s chance of survival in the worst-case scenario would have been nil.

More importantly though, considering places with travelers where at higher risk, he feared for Laeticaea’s well-being. As small as her village was, it was on a route that saw a lot of traffic.

When they finally reached the place, the two destroyed inns were the first thing sights he caught. Abandoning all pretense, he ran to the heavily damaged building. The upper floor and living area hadn’t been harmed, but the common room downstairs was in ruin.

The stable was empty and there was no one minding the counter, as though the place had been abandoned. He called. “Is there someone here, I…” He hesitated for a bit then ended with the following. “’I’d like to rent a room.”

Laeticaea descended the stairs looking tired, her two parents were hurt and the inn hadn’t seen a guest since the incident. No one wanted to be near stranger, even in a place that had already been struck once. The girl couldn’t help but wonder if she was cursed as first there’d been the knights’ blockade and now, that.

It was a stupid thought, she was far from the only victim, and all thing considered she didn’t suffer from it as much as others did. She knew that, and yet, she still felt that way.

Losing the inn was harsh, but she had long dreamed of leaving this place for good. She was thankful her parent had given her a job as it wasn’t so easy for girls in a small village but she had still wanted to leave for a long time; it was her father’s inn and he’d made it abundantly clear: the day she’d inherit it, would be the day he died.

Upon seeing the familiar face, her own drew an awkward smile. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon, did you encounter some problem?”

“The same as everyone else, as you’d expect. It’s hard for strangers to stay anywhere nowadays, and believe it or not, but the event took care of our business for us.”

She didn’t know much about magic, but the incident had changed a lot of things and killed a lot of people. “It’s been hard on everyone; people fear getting close to one another… just in case it happens again.”

“Don’t worry, you have nothing to fear.”

Hearing him so sure, her face betrayed her hope: could it be that he knew what caused it? Why?

Ignis soon realized he’d said too much. She herself, had nothing to fear but he didn’t take into account her job. Even then, he knew nothing of the source of the terrible incident’s origin, it might happen again at a later date, or something entirely different… all he had were assumptions about who and what was targeted.

“Sorry, I’ve said too much. The event targeted bad people and bad places. Well, it might be more just to say, death and resentment… not all hated people are deserving of it.” Rulers who had to take hard measure were usually victims of their subject’s resentment, even if their policies were right and for the benefit of all.

“Is that what happened?” Then angrily. “How can you say I’m safe, this is a inn, do you think we’ve got a good person only policy?”

“I’m sorry, I should have thought more before talking.”

“I’m sorry too, but doesn’t that mean everyone’s fear of strangers is entirely validated?”

He’d dug himself into a hole, he couldn’t explain without revealing about himself that he wanted to… he’d tried anyway. “It takes time for this kind of energy to build up again, we should be safe for months, maybe years.”

“For real?” Answered the girl excitedly before realizing it was an acquaintance mage’s theory, no one would believe it without proof.

Her expressive face told him everything he needed to know about her thoughts. “The church of the elements probably knows about it. I’m sure they’ll make an announcement pretty soon.”

Thinking it might be the occasion she’d been waiting for a long time, Laeticaea unsubtly spoke her thought. “Ah… maybe I should find some work in the capital, with the inn in this state my presence hurts my parent more than it helps.”

‘It’s my chance.’ Thought the mage “If you need help I… I…” What he finally said wasn’t what he had hoped to say. “know some people in Oto, I could help you find work.”

She liked him and had a good impression overall, but she didn’t love him… they barely knew each-others after all. Unbeknownst to him, his answer had been, a proposal would have been too much too quick while this pushed him out of the friend zone and into the potential suitor category.

“Really? You’d do that for me?”

“I live in a dormitory in Oto, they were looking for personnel last time I was there.” They hadn’t, but if need be, he’d pay for her wage himself. Considering it came with food and lodging, it probably wouldn’t be more than half a mark… maybe one and half if he had to pay for everything. “We’ll have to talk to your parent first, obviously.”

“Ah…” She’d forgotten about them. “Obviously.”